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Former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Jim Schwartz might still be looking to find a way to coach next season, but the Cleveland Browns don’t plan to let that happen.
Schwartz resigned as the Browns’ defensive coordinator earlier this month. The 59-year-old was passed over for the Browns’ head coaching job and couldn’t get over the disappointment to return under Todd Monken.
The problem Schwartz is facing is that he has two years remaining on his contract with the Browns. As a result, he will not be allowed to coach elsewhere for the next two seasons unless the Browns agree to release him from his contract. That appears very unlikely, per team insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
“I was a little surprised, actually. Todd (Monken) did try to talk him into it,” Cabot said on 92.3 The Fan. “Jim just wasn’t able to bring himself to put the disappointment behind him and come back and coach this team right now.
“I know the feeling over the past two weeks was, ‘no, he’s our defensive coordinator and we want him here.’ I really don’t think that they want him coaching anywhere but the Cleveland Browns. I just don’t think they’re going to make it that easy on him.”
Browns Could Benefit From Schwartz Move
The Browns cannot trade Schwartz. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk floated an unconventional way Cleveland could get some compensation for Schwartz.
“It’s possible that the Raiders and Browns could informally work out some other tentative trade involving players and/or draft picks, to be effective when the league year begins on March 11,” Florio said. “Extra compensation for Schwartz could be buried into that transaction.
“Then, the Browns — in an apparent display of magnanimity — would release Schwartz from his remaining contractual obligations. So it’s over. Unless it isn’t. And things could get interesting if/when Kubiak becomes the new head coach of the Raiders and if/when the Raiders try to find a way to get Schwartz to Las Vegas.”
Browns Still Searching for Defensive Coordinator
Monken has yet to find Schwartz’s replacement. But the Browns are doing their due diligence, bringing in multiple candidates for interviews.
Cleveland has requested interviews with Carolina Panthers passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley and Atlanta Falcons passing game coordinator Mike Rutenberg. The team is also interviewing Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant.
In addition to outside candidates, the Browns are also evaluating internal candidates for continuity. Former members of Jim Schwartz’s staff — linebackers coach Jason Tarver and safeties coach Ephraim Banda — are under consideration, giving Cleveland options that would preserve elements of the defensive structure already in place.
Monken has made it clear he has no intention of overhauling Cleveland’s defensive identity. The unit has been one of the NFL’s most consistent groups in recent seasons, finishing No. 4 in total defense last year at 283.6 yards allowed per game while surrendering 22.3 points per contest.
While Monken has expressed respect for Schwartz, he has been quick to point out that the defense’s success starts with the players. With stars like Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit anchoring the unit, Monken believes the foundation is already in place.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
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